WTO: Brazilians offer compromise over Cognac name row
QUESTION: when is a Cognac not a Cognac? Answer: if it is made in Brazil, when it becomes a Conhaque.The Brazilian government has offered a compromise to solve a rule of origin row with the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac(BNIC).The BNIC has been pushing for a ban on the Brazil spirits industry using the famous French product name.Faced with pressure from the European Commission, which has feared a possible slump in Cognac exports, Brasilia has promised to stop its producers from labelling their brandy liquers as Cognac.However, Brazil has suggested that they be allowed to continue using the Portuguese spelling: Conhaque.Keith Nuthall